Chart Installation

OpenCPN does not come with charts, however there are many Chart Sources, and it does come with a Background Map (GSHHS Low Res) installed which shows the Continents. This GSHHG Basemap is always displayed, regardless of chart groups, and it can be improved with a High Resolution GSHHG Background Map. For more detail see Background Map.

Charts are a complex subject due to the many Chart Formats available. OpenCPN can read BSB, S-57 unencrypted and early CM93 charts natively. There are also a number of OpenCPN Chart plugins which enable reading specialized and encrypted chart sets.

Having accurate and current charts is important for safe navigation. The USA provides free NOAA Charts as do many other countries. The built-in ChartDownloader Tool will download free (S-57) NOAA ENC digital and RNC raster Charts which OpenCPN can read natively without use of a Plugin.

• Chart Downloader Tab Download free S-57 charts near or in your area. Recommended first step for new users, to experiment with Charts and learn the process.

• Chart Manual Install Download any S-57 NOAAA ENC Chart from Individual ENC Charts, unzip and copy them into your Charts directory following Chart Manual Install instructions.
  • NOAA Free S-57 Format ENC & RNC Charts (USA)
    • Individual ENC Charts Download any one, unzip and install.
    • NOAA's Chart Download website
    • NOAA ENC USA Charts
    • NOAA RNC USA Charts
    • NOAA IENC USA Inland Marine Charts

• O-Charts.org and O-charts Plugin Encrypted S-57 Charts
  • O-Charts.org A chart provider for OpenCPN charts. The most reasonable and easiest way to purchase charts for most worldwide cruising grounds and in your area.
  • O-charts Plugin enables OpenCPN to read encrypted S-57 RNC and ENC (actually a OpenCPN SENC file). Note: O-charts_pi takes the place of the oeSENC_pi and oeRNC_pi plugins.
  • Start by installing the O-charts Plugin, creating an account on O-Charts.org, purchasing some charts and following the instructions.

Find the location of your Chart Files.

1. In OpenCPN, from Toolbar, pick About “?”, then click on the Config File link.
2. The file should open in your text editor.
3. Search for the parameter “BaseChartDir=”
4. Make note of the Charts Folder path.
5. The other alternative is to try searching your hard drive for “Chart”

There is one notable detail for recent Android users. With recent Android releases aplications are restricted in where on the storage they can access data and you need to place the charts there using something with elevated privileges, like X-plore file manager
For OpenCPN to be able to access the charts, they must be placed either under /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/org.opencpn.opencpn/files on the device or under /storage/XXXX-YYYY/Android/data/org.opencpn.opencpn/files on the SD card.

1. Chart Installation (this page) of Charts to be read by OpenCPN (OpenCPN does not include charts)
2. ChartsBasic Features - Main Source for using charts
3. GNSS Setupto communicate with your computer and OpenCPN (Optional, but very useful)

Completing these 3 steps will get you started and allow you to check out the program.

If you still have questions there is a large supportive OpenCPN community in this Cruisers Forum.

• GPS Setup